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Tag: dracula

  • Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    Preview:

    • What Is Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe?
    • A Look At “Isle of Berk,” “Dark Universe,” “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic,” and “Super Nintendo World”
    • Brand new Helios Grand Hotel

    Get ready to experience a brand new theme park in an epic way. For the first time in over 25 years, a new theme park is opening in Orlando, Florida.

    Universal Orlando‘s Epic Universe spans over 750 acres of land, and includes 5 new lands within. Guests will be transported in to the worlds inspired by movie franchises such as ‘How To Train Your Dragon,’ ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them,’ Universal’s classic monsters, and Super Nintendo.

    The new opening also includes the Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel. The Helios Grand has its own dedicated entrance into Epic Universe (theme park admission required), and offers guests early entry into the park.

    Moviefone had the pleasure of traveling to Orlando, Florida, for a special preview of Epic Universe ahead of its grand opening on May 22, 2025 to experience all five lands and their attractions, shows, and more.

    Related Article: Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2024 Opening Night

    What Is Epic Universe?

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    Epic Universe is Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park, not far from Universal Studios Orlando. It houses five brand new lands, including Celestial Park, How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Epic Universe’s theming is inspired by the heavens, stars, and constellations, and once guests step through the towering Emerald Gate and Chronos device, they will find themselves in Celestial Park. From there, they will be able to access the four other portals leading them into various lands.

    During the media preview week, there was an opening ceremony for each of the portals. As the Chrono device “powered up” to open the portal, the characters of the respective land would appear, along with music, pyro, fire, smoke, and sometimes confetti to welcome guests. While these portal opening ceremony is not likely to happen once Epic Universe is officially open, it was exciting to see the efforts put in by Epic Universe to make entering each portal a unique experience during the media preview.

    Epic Theme Park, Epic Hotel

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    The new Helios Grand Hotel sits on the Epic Universe property, and is said to be the most unique hotels in the world. In partnership with Lowes Hotel, the Helio Grand has 500 rooms including 35 suites. The best perk of staying here would be its dedicated entrance right into Epic Universe.

    Upon walking into the Helio Grand Hotel, you’re met with the view of massive windows that lookout into the theme park. The hotel’s theming is parallel to what you’d see in Celestial Park, making the transition from one place to the next smooth and flawless. Dining options includes the restaurant Flora Taverna on the main floor, Bar Helio that offers a stunning 360 degree view, and the poolside Lotus Lagoon.

    During media preview, Executive Chairman of Loews Hotel & Co Jonathan Tisch proudly mentions that the Helio Grand Hotel makes the 11th hotel on Universal Property, “On Universal campus now, we have 11 hotels, 11 thousand rooms, and with our partners at Comcast and NBCU, it really is a remarkable partnership”

    Jonathan Tisch talks about getting the phone call that started the Helios Grand Hotel project

    “We got a call to build a hotel but this time it’s a bit different. You’re looking at this amazing amusement park, and this hotel, the Helios is one of the most unique hotels in the world. Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort – It really is just a a project that we’ve been in talk for a long time. So we’ve been very busy at those hotels. We’ve opened up three hotels of three and a half miles here, all in anticipation of this weekend in the amazing opening that we’ll all see soon. On Universal campus now, we have 11 hotels, 11 doves and rooms, and with our partners are Comcast and NBCU. It really is a remarkable partnership.”

    What Can You Find In Celestial Park?

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    Celestial Park houses a gorgeous and lush garden, the Cosmos fountain, the Constellation Carousel, and the dual-track rollercoaster Stardust Racers. There are several dining and shopping options located throughout. This portion of Epic Universe serves as the crossroads that leads to the four other lands within. Using a hub-and-spoke layout, guests can travel in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to their next destination. At times, Celestial Park can feel like a maze with its ever extending gardens and ponds.

    While Celestial Park isn’t themed to any particular IP, the attractions here should not be overlooked. The Constellation Carousel takes guests on a different carousel experience, as the celestial creature ride vehicles also spin, making one feel like they’re moving in different directions instead of the usual 360 degrees on a classic merry-go-around.

    The Stardust Racer rollercoaster is hard to miss. The retro-themed coaster stands tall at 133 feet and features dual tracks. The Stardust Racer will launch guests from 0 to 62 MPH, taking riders high into the sky before descending into a series of drops and twists, while crisscrossing with the other track. Both tracks offer a slightly different experience, with the Yellow track offering more twists while the Green track has more drops and dips. The ride is designed to look like comets in the sky, and it truly takes on that feeling with a night ride. The tracks are not lit, so the only lights are coming from the ride vehicles themselves.

    For dining, there are two full-service restaurants and a few quick-service options. The full service restaurants are the Atlantic and the Blue Dragon. The Atlantic offers a variety of seafood fare and is themed to its aquatic name, with large floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Neptune’s Pool. The Blue Dragon serves up Asian-inspired dishes, and the decor features neon light signage and motifs inspired by East and Southeast Asia. There is also a variety of quick service options that are spread throughout.

    What Can You Find In Isle of Berk?

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    The Isle of Berk immerse guests into the world of Dreamwork’s ‘How To Train Your Dragon’. Upon entering through the portal, you are met with towering stone statues of a Viking and a dragon. In this land, you’ll find 30 animatronic dragons, as well as three rides and a live stage show. You will also meet characters from the film, including Hiccup, Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Gobber, and of course, Toothless himself. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for adorable baby dragons who will play a game of “Toothless Says”.

    The three rides in Isle of Berk consist of Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Dragon Racer’s Rally, and Fyre Drill. There is also the live stage show “The Untrainable Dragon”, which is unlike any theme park stage show. In “The Untrainable Dragon”, the Vikings encounter a new troublesome dragon that is causing mayhem in the village. Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid must find a way to calm the dragon before it causes more destruction. The show features dance and musical numbers, but best of all, Hiccup and Toothless will soar over the audience during the show. This is a must-see!

    Dining options in Isle of Berk includes the Mead Hall, which also happens to be the tallest building in the land. Mead Hall offers quick service and has a variety meats, fish, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. Other dining options include Spit Fyre Grill and Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel where you can find the Instagramable Dragon Fire Chicken Spire mac-and-cheese cone.

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    What Can You Find In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic?

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    While Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure already house both Diagon Alley and Hogsmead, there is still much to explore in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe. As you walk through the towering wand-topped portal, you suddenly find yourself in 1920s Paris. This land is connected to the “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them” franchise, where magical creatures from the film can be found in various shop windows and entertainment.

    The main attraction in this land is the “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry” ride. For the first time, guests will be able to experience the Métro-Floo as they walk through the green tunnel. Stepping through the mist, you’ll find yourself at the British Ministry of Magic.

    The official synopsis for “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry” is:

    Travel by Métro-Floo from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic™ where Dolores Umbridge™ is about to stand trial. Board a lift and join Harry, Ron, and Hermione as you journey deep into the Ministry’s many departments. Thrilling adventure, fantastic beasts, and unexplored mystery await in Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™.

    This ride queue is the most impressive of all lands at Epic Universe. As you come out of the Métro-Floo tunnels, you’re met with the massive atrium of the British Ministry of Magic and its many floors of offices. At the center stands the Fountain of Magical Brethren. The sight is truly impressive. Proceeding through the line queue, you’ll walk through the Magical Archives library, the Aurors’ locker room, and Dolores Umbridge’s office.

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    For the ride itself, guests will board the magical omnidirectional lift as it makes its way to Umbridge’s trial. As she attempts to escape, the lift, along with Harry, Hermione, and Ron, give chase throughout the Ministry. The ride has a combination of screens and practice sets, similar to “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”. What sets this ride apart is the seamless flow from screen to set and the detailed animatronics found throughout. The immersive storytelling combined with the technologies used for Battle at the Ministry make this attraction a must for Harry Potter fans.

    Within this land, you can find “Cirque de Arcanus”, a live show featuring cirque acts and fantastic beasts in large puppetry form. With special effects and intricate set designs, guests will feel surrounded by the magic of the Wizarding World.

    There is much to explore within the wizarding city of Paris. Arm yourself with an interactive wand and put your skills to the test with the many spell-casting spots in front of the storefronts throughout this land. Stop by Café L’air De La Sirène for a butterbeer crepe

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    What Can You Find In Dark Universe?

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    It’s Alive! As guests step through the portal for Dark Universe, they are transported to the village of Darkmoor, a haunting village where the classic Universal Monsters roam. The gothic decor and fog effects sets the mood. The crackles and hum of electricity from Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments can be heard throughout. As you travel further into the land, you’ll come across Frankenstein Manor, a dark castle looming over Darkmoor. The manor houses the main attraction of Dark Universe, “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment”.

    The official synopsis for “Monsters Unchained” is:

    Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues the work of her ancestors deep below the family estate. A demonstration of her experiments to control monsters goes awry when Dracula leads a revolt of enraged monsters including The Wolf Man, The Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and more.

    Monsters Unchained has two pre-shows, with the latter showing off the incredible animatronics of Victoria Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s Monster 2.0. Their movements are fluid and lifelike, giving a guest just a taste of what they’ll encounter on the ride.

    The ride vehicle operates very similarly to “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” but the vehicle’s movement is more extreme and intense than Forbidden Journey. In comparison, Monsters Unchain boasts more practice sets and animatronics than screenings. As the ride vehicles, operated by Igor, navigates through the catacombs deep beneath the manor, guests will come face-to-face with Dracula and his brides, the Mummy, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. These larger-than-life animatronics are extremely detailed and truly frightening as the ride vehicle brings you within inches of them.

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    There is so much happening on this ride, and each seat offers a slightly different view as certain animatronic figures pop out at a different timing. Monsters Unchained is the best ride in Epic Universe, and worth experiencing multiple times as you will definitely notice something you different than the previous ride.

    Aside from Monsters Unchained, there’s also the spinning rollercoaster “Curse of the Werewolf”. The ride vehicle travels at 37 MPH on back and forth motion while the seat vehicles spin. The spinning motion can vary depending on the weight distribution of each ride vehicle. The coaster is thrilling but nowhere as intense as Stardust Racers or even Hiccup’s Wing Gliders.

    Official synopsis for “Curse of the Werewolf”:

    Maleva, leader of The Guild of Mystics, welcomes you to a secluded wagon camp. Here you’re warned of the creatures who prowl the deep woods. Before long you’re riding Curse of the Werewolf – surrounded by glowing eyes and gnashing teeth, you’ll spin and weave through the forest as you attempt to escape a pack of werewolves.

    Guests can encounter characters such as Igor as he roams around Darkmoor, or meet Frankenstein and the Bride in their designated meet and greet area.

    Dining options include the Burning Blade Tavern, which has a rotating windmill that is lit ablaze seversal times a day. The Tavern serves up a variety of burgers, chicken, small bites, and beverage.

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    What Can You Find in Super Nintendo World?

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    Super Nintendo World first made its way to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. This is where you can find “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge”. What sets the Super Nintendo World apart in Epic Universe is a brand new area featuring Donkey Kong. This marks the debut of Donkey Kong Country in the United States.

    Donkey Kong Country transports guests into the jungle where you can find “Mine-Cart Madness”. Board the mine cart and enter the Golden Temple to protect the Golden Banana, but watch out for the rickety tracks.

    Official synopsis for Mine-Cart Madness:

    It’s up to you to help Donkey Kong protect the Golden Banana on Mine-Cart Madness™. Enter the majestic Golden Temple, board your mine cart and take off in this thrilling family coaster. Speeding through the mine, you’ll appear to jump across gaps in the track and perform other eye-popping feats from the Donkey Kong Country video games.

    As the mine carts rushes through the Golden Temple, you’ll notice some of the tracks have collapsed but there is no stopping. The mine cart makes leaps over the missing tracks, and makes this ride exciting and sometimes a little scary. The ride will not only take you through the temple, but also over water and through the jungle. For those visiting the park with a Power-Up band or tracking your progress through Universal Orlando app, this is how you can acquire the Golden Banana stamp.

    While you’re in Donkey Kong Country, stop by The Bubbly Barrel stall to try the DK Crush Float, which is served with a pineapple banana soft serve with a waffle cone. It sounds extremely sugary but it’s just the right level of sweetness and very refreshing. You have the option to get it with or without the souvenir DK barrel mug.

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    The other new attraction at Super Nintendo World is Yoshi’s Adventure. This is a much slower paced ride than Mine-Cart Madness, perfect for all-ages. The track also gives you a scenic aerial view of Super Nintendo World. Guests will board a Yoshi ride vehicle as it takes you through various scenes in search of all three Yoshi Eggs. Each vehicle is equipped with three egg-shaped buttons. When you spot a blue, pink, or green Yoshi Egg, press the corresponding color button. This is how you can acquire the Golden Egg stamp.

    The rides at Super Nintendo World are fun but not as detailed or thrilling as the other lands. Still, this land is extremely interactive, especially if you have a Power-Up Band to collect stamps and play mini-games.

    You can find several food options including Toadstool Cafe, which boasts wide variety from pasta to soups to sandwiches. There are a ton of seating and a perfect way to escape the heat on a hot day.

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    Epic Universe is changing the game when it comes to theme parks. The attention to detail in each land has elevated the experience. When you’re in any specific land, you forget that you’re a part of a larger theme park. Whether you step into the Isle of Berk or Dark Universe, you’re immediately enveloped by the theming and decor. You won’t even notice the other portals towers from the other lands even though they stand tall. For the most part, each land is filled with interactive experiences so if there are plenty to do aside from the rides and shows.

    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe and Helio Grand Hotel is now officially open to the public.

    Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.
    Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photo: Wendy Lee Szany.

    Movies that inspired Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe:

    Buy Universal Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Nosferatu’ Exclusive Interview: Director Robert Eggers

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    Opening in theaters on December 25th is ‘Nosferatu’, which is a remake of the classic 1922 German film, which itself was loosely based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel ‘Dracula’.

    The new movie was written and directed by Robert Eggers (‘The Lighthouse’ and ‘The Northman’), and stars Bill Skarsgård (‘John Wick: Chapter 4’), Nicholas Hoult (‘The Order’), Lily-Rose Depp (‘The Idol’), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (‘Kraven the Hunter’), Emma Corrin (‘Deadpool & Wolverine’), Ralph Ineson (‘The Creator’), and Willem Dafoe (‘Poor Things’).

    'Nosferatu' director Robert Eggers.
    ‘Nosferatu’ director Robert Eggers.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Nosferatu’

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with filmmaker Robert Eggers in an extended interview about his work on ‘Nosferatu’, why he wanted to make the movie, his love for the original, the look of the new film, visual vs. practical effects, Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp’s performances, why he loves working with Willem Dafoe, why he will never make a modern movie, and what he learned from making this project.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Director Robert Eggers on the set of his film 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release.
    Director Robert Eggers on the set of his film ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your fascination with the source material, why you wanted to remake this film, and how you wanted to do it differently than what we’ve seen before from this genre?

    Robert Eggers: I mean, I saw F. W. Murnau‘s ‘Nosferatu’ that was made in 1922 when I was nine years old, and I watched on a VHS that was made from a degraded 16-millimeter print and there was a way in which the world and the vampire played by Max Schreck just seemed real and unearthed from the past and I was just totally transported to that world. I also loved that it turned Bram Stoker’s novel into a very simple fairy tale. So, I’ve been obsessed with ‘Nosferatu’ most of my life, but it’s not enough to be obsessed and love something there. You must have a reason to do it again. I thought that if I could tell the story through the eyes of the female protagonist, through Lily-Rose Depp’s character, that there would be a greater chance for the film to have more emotional and psychological depth because yes, it is a scary horror movie with a lot of dread and even some jump scares. But more than that, it is a tale of love and obsession and a Gothic romance. The other central thing that is very different from other versions is that over the years, vampires have become less and less and less scary, climaxing with Edward Cullen (‘Twilight’) and in order to make the vampire in the film scary again, I turned to folklore that was written about and by people who believe that vampires were real and were terrified of them and these folk vampires are walking undead, putrid corpses. So, then I asked myself, “What would a dead Transylvanian nobleman actually look like” and thus we created what Bill Skarsgård’s vampire is in this film.

    MF: Did you only take inspiration from the original ‘Nosferatu’, or did you also draw from the ‘Dracula’ novel and other interpretations of the character?

    RE: I mean, it’s everything. It’s very much the history of vampire films in general, but I’m inspired by all kinds of Gothic literature and Edgar Allan Poe, black and white Gothic movies from the 1930s to the 1960s, and art house Polish movies from the ’70s. I mean, the influences are massive. Even Mel Brooks‘ ‘Dracula: Dead and Loving’. It was helpful to see what are the mistakes that every Dracula movie has. That parody points them out, so you know not to make those mistakes.

    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release.
    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    MF: Can you talk about Bill Skarsgård’s performance and the specific way you wanted Count Orlok to look in the film?

    RE: I mean, Bill’s incredibly transformative as Count Orlok. There’s no trace of Bill Skarsgård in the movie. He worked with an opera singer to lower his voice an octave. He has this incredibly low, powerful voice that if you’ve heard Bill speak, Bill speaks in a tenor voice like mine, and you would assume that we digitally manipulated it. But no, Bill trained and that is his performance and the prosthetics that took six hours to apply and then his utter transformation for Bill to disappear and the darkness to take over and him to become Count Orlok is quite impressive.

    MF: Can you talk about your use of practical vs. visual effect in the film?

    RE: There are certainly plenty of visual effects in the movie, but I try to do as many things practically as possible and, the things that you might expect to be visual effects, those are the things that I particularly would like to do practically. All of Bill’s makeup is done practically. There are thousands and thousands of rats in the film and the thousands of rats that would be in the foreground of the shot are real. The wolves are real. We built over 60 sets, including a massive backlog set of a northern German town.

    MF: Can you also talk about the production design and the specific look of the film?

    RE: Yeah, I mean, the reality of these sets is quite shocking. We talk about the finishes in the movie industry and when you’re in the middle of Orlok’s Great Hall in the castle, even without the lighting, it looks completely real. It’s wild.

    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    MF: What was it like working with Lily-Rose Depp, and can you talk about her performance and her character’s descent into madness?

    RE: Lily-Rose Depp’s performance is quite jaw-dropping, and so amazing. When I first met with her, I felt that she just understood the character so well and then she did this incredibly powerful audition that left me and the casting director and even the videographer who didn’t have anything invested in it in tears. But Ellen’s character has a sort of knowledge, a sort of insight into the dark realm, another realm, and she’s dealing with the demons that are inside of her and this vampire that’s after her. She does this incredible body work where she sometimes is having seizures and sometimes having, going through these wild acts of possession. She worked tirelessly with a movement coach on doing all these incredible body movements that also help these shocking emotions to arise. But again, the stuff that she does with her body, you would think would be CG manipulated or we would be using wire work, but it’s all her. She gives a tremendous performance.

    MF: This is the third movie in a row you’ve made with Willem Dafoe. What do you like about working with him and is he your lucky charm at this point?

    RE: I mean, Willem Dafoe is a legend. He’s one of the greatest actors of all time and I feel so joyful and thankful and humbled that Willem likes to work with me and keeps coming back. But obviously, he has this power and a sense of humor and a fire about him that makes all his roles so compelling. Here, as a slightly crazed vampire hunter occultist, it’s particularly enjoyable.

    Willem Dafoe stars as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Willem Dafoe stars as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    MF: All your films are period pieces. What do you like about making those types of movies and do you ever see yourself making a modern set film?

    RE: Well, it’s more fun for me to do the research and to create these worlds. I live in a world of cell phones and toilets and dishwashers. I don’t need to make movies about it. It’s boring. How cool is it that I am dreaming about a castle for 10 years and then I get to stand inside the castle of my imagination? That is so much cooler than shooting a scene in a men’s room with someone looking at their cell phone.

    MF: Finally, this is a movie you’ve wanted to make for a while, how does it feel now that you’ve accomplished that and what have you learned from this experience?

    RE: I’m proud of what me and all my collaborators were able to accomplish. I’ve been working with the same creative heads of department for years and we’ve become further extensions of each, and we challenge each other, and we grow together. After so long, it’s not just my vision that we’ve articulated, but a collective vision and that is wonderful. But you also feel a little vulnerable because when it’s something that is this important to you, that’s kind of a strange feeling. But I’m eager for audiences to come to movie theaters and get transported into this world and enjoy ‘Nosferatu’, hopefully.

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    What is the plot of ‘Nosferatu’?

    Set in 1838 in Germany, Nosferatu follows the obsession between a haunted young woman, Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rise Depp), and the ancient Transylvanian vampire stalking her, Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), leading to untold horror.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Nosferatu’?

    • Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok
    • Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter
    • Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter
    • Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding
    • Emma Corrin as Anna Harding
    • Willem Dafoe as Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz
    • Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Siever
    • Simon McBurney as Herr Knock
    Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    List of Robert Eggers Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nosferatu’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Robert Eggers Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Nosferatu’

    (L to R) Nicholas Hoult stars as Thomas Hutter and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    (L to R) Nicholas Hoult stars as Thomas Hutter and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Opening in theaters December 25 is ‘Nosferatu,’ directed by Robert Eggers and starring Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe.

    Initial Thoughts

    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Director and writer Robert Eggers has wanted to remake ‘Nosferatu’ even before his stunning debut, ‘The Witch,’ came out in 2016. The silent 1922 original from director F.W. Murnau is one of the landmarks of both horror cinema and German Expressionist film, while Werner Herzog’s 1979 version is both an update of the material and a tribute to the Murnau classic.

    Now Eggers has delivered his interpretation of the material, which itself is an adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel ‘Dracula’ in everything but name (the short version: Murnau could not get the rights to the book from Stoker’s widow, so he changed all the names and filmed it anyway). Eggers, our reigning master of period horror thanks to the likes of ‘The Witch’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ (2019), has incorporated elements of both previous versions into his film, along with aspects of ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ (the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola movie) and even nods to other horror cornerstones like ‘The Exorcist’ and Mario Bava’s ‘Black Sabbath.’

    Eggers’ dark fantasia may quickly become a modern horror classic in its own right: The macabre, surreal ‘Nosferatu’ is steeped in dread and a thick atmosphere of death and decay, featuring a terrifying monster – played by an unrecognizable Bill Skarsgård (Pennywise in ‘It’) – who proclaims that he is a primal force of evil (“I am an appetite, nothing more”) while emanating a despair and even loneliness that makes his corruption all the more palpable.

    Story and Direction

    Director Robert Eggers on the set of his film 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release.
    Director Robert Eggers on the set of his film ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Set in 1838, ‘Nosferatu’ follows the basic plot that should be familiar to both readers of the original novel and generations of viewers who have watched cinematic variations on the tale, with a new wrinkle right from the onset: when we first meet the “melancholy” (as people suffering from depression and other clinical disorders were described back then) Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), she is a young woman plagued by terrible dreams and loneliness and desperate to make contact with something divine. Her slight touch of paranormal ability – branded “hysteria” – does indeed awaken something far, far away, but about as far from the angelic as one could imagine.

    Years later, Ellen is married to up-and-coming estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) and has seemingly gotten control of her mental and emotional issues thanks to her newfound happiness. But dark thoughts begin to intrude when Thomas announces that at the behest of his employer, Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), he must travel from their home in Wisborg, Germany to the distant land of Transylvania, where he is to close a deal for an elderly but extremely wealthy count named Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) to purchase a ruined property in Wisborg that he intends to make his new home. Leaving Ellen in the care of their friends Friedrich and Anna Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin), Thomas begins the long, arduous journey to Orlok’s castle – where he is met along the way by Romani who insist that he turn back at all costs.

    Once at Orlok’s ancient, ominous abode – which seems to spread a literal blanket of decay over the land and everything around it – Thomas quickly realizes that there is something decidedly off about his host, who only appears at night. Orlok, of course, knows that Hutter is married to Ellen – the girl who cried out to him all those years ago – and luring Hutter to his castle while establishing himself in Wisborg is all part of Orlok’s plan to come to the “modern world” and claim her, spreading death and plague in his wake.

    (L to R) Producer Chris Columbus, director Robert Eggers and director of photography Jarin Blaschke on the set of their film 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Producer Chris Columbus, director Robert Eggers and director of photography Jarin Blaschke on the set of their film ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    If there’s anything that slightly lets ‘Nosferatu’ down, it’s the fact that Eggers’ version – aside from the more explicitly perverse relationship between Ellen and Orlok – doesn’t hold many surprises. As fans of either previous version of ‘Nosferatu’ or many adaptations of ‘Dracula’ itself will know, this more or less follows Stoker’s time-tested narrative. Orlok imprisons and nearly kills Thomas before leaving for Wisborg on a doomed ship; his benefactor there, Knock (aka Renfield), arranges for his arrival while going insane; and as Thomas escapes and attempts to get home, a band of loyal friends, including the Hardings, Dr. Sievers (Ralph Ineson), and eventually the eccentric Dutch doctor/metaphysician Albin Von Franz (Willem Dafoe), join forces to protect Ellen against the peril coming for her and Wisborg, at great danger to themselves.

    But while the story is familiar, Eggers drenches it in so much rich detail, thick atmosphere, and powerful malevolence that he perhaps creates the most immersive interpretation yet. And even though his Orlok/Dracula has moments where he is almost pitiable, this is perhaps the most purely monstrous version of the iconic character, an embodiment of evil and living death personified in one amazing shot of the shadow of his hand reaching across the darkened rooftops of Wisborg. “Nosferatu” and “Dracula” itself have always used their central character as a metaphor for many things, but the depravity and destruction he brings with him here are tangible like never before.

    Also tangible is the time and place of Eggers’ tale, brought to life by his regular collaborators like production designer Craig Lathrop, DP Jarin Blaschke, and costume designer Linda Muir, who all bring an astonishing level of specificity and tactility to the darkened world of ‘Nosferatu.’ Blaschke in particular pays homage to the many versions of this tale that have come before – an eerie sequence in which Thomas walks through a dead forest as Orlok’s spectral coach approaches to pick him up could have been right out of the Murnau film – while creating a Gothic palette that’s wholly original to this movie.

    The Cast

    (L to R) Ralph Ineson stars as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding, Emma Corrin as Anna Harding and Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz in director Robert Eggers 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    (L to R) Ralph Ineson stars as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding, Emma Corrin as Anna Harding and Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz in director Robert Eggers ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    With his filmography to date, Bill Skarsgård may become a modern Lon Chaney, the silent film star who specialized in grotesques and monsters. He draws upon both the Schreck and Kinski versions of Orlok, as well as Gary Oldman’s Count Dracula, yet provides a wholly new interpretation of the legendary vampire. Aided by incredible makeup from David White and Linda Muir’s costume, Orlok looks like a real 16th century Transylvania nobleman – albeit one that has been decomposing for centuries.

    But all the makeup in the world could not do the job if Skarsgård himself didn’t fully inhabit the role, his blazing eyes and genuinely chilling voice delivering the immensity of Orlok’s depravity and even some of his self-pity and existential horror at his own existence. He, Eggers, White, and Muir have created a monster for the ages.

    The other big story of this superb cast may be Lily-Rose Depp. Saddled previously with the HBO debacle ‘The Idol,’ Depp makes Ellen the driving force of the story, her unknowing attraction to the darkness battling with her yearning for a normal life and her love for Thomas. It’s that conflict within that makes Ellen come to life, the two sides to her personality also a metaphor for the women of the era – and many other eras – torn between knowing their “station” and forging ahead with lives of their own making. Depp finds both Ellen’s loving nature and her tragic inner self, as well as the darker aspects of her personality that are brought to bear by the presence of Orlok.

    Nicholas Hoult stars as Thomas Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Nicholas Hoult stars as Thomas Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Nicholas Hoult’s Thomas is also given more depth here than the usual stalwart hero he’s portrayed as. Thomas starts out as a relative innocent, dedicated to providing for his wife and their life together, but his exposure to the corruption of Orlok changes him permanently. Hoult – who’s already having a hell of a year with ‘Juror #2’ and ‘The Order’ – delivers another solid performance as a man whose entire view of the world and what exists in it is upended with terrible results.

    The other actors – Taylor-Johnson and Corrin as the loyal but increasingly frightened and exhausted Hardings, McBurney as the wildly demented Knock, Ineson as the rational Sievers, and of course Eggers regular Dafoe as the peculiar yet commanding Von Franz, round out an ensemble that does justice to each of their characters, all of them bringing an exceptional emotional and psychological commitment to the material.

    Final Thoughts

    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Aidan Monaghan/Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Aidan Monaghan/Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Not only is ‘Nosferatu’ Robert Eggers’ most personal of his four films to date, a masterful retelling of a classic tale, and an achievement that secures his place among modern horror auteurs like Guillermo del Toro and Mike Flanagan, but it also resets the cinematic depiction of the vampire.

    ‘Nosferatu’ returns the monster to its ancient roots, particularly that of the Romanian strigoi and other manifestations in Eastern European folklore, shedding nearly all the modern romanticism of tales like ‘Twilight’ while retaining the creature’s symbolism as both a deliverer of death and a purveyor of primal, twisted urges. As a result, this ‘Nosferatu’ can stand proudly alongside its predecessors and may become a genre benchmark in its own right as time goes on.

    ‘Nosferatu’ receives 9 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘Nosferatu’?

    A young woman haunted by spectral visions comes under the spell of an ancient vampire, whose obsession brings unimaginable evil and horror to everyone in his path.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Nosferatu’?

    • Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok
    • Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter
    • Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter
    • Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding
    • Emma Corrin as Anna Harding
    • Willem Dafoe as Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz
    • Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers
    • Simon McBurney as Herr Knock
    Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release.
    Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    List of Robert Eggers Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nosferatu’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Robert Eggers Movies on Amazon

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  • Luc Besson to Direct New Romantic Dracula Movie

    (Left) Caleb Landry Jones in ‘Nitram.’ (Center) Christoph Waltz in 'Inglourious Basterds.' Photo: The Weinstein Company. (Right) Director Luc Besson. Credit/Provider: ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (Left) Caleb Landry Jones in ‘Nitram.’ (Center) Christoph Waltz in ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company. (Right) Director Luc Besson. Credit/Provider: ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Preview:

    • Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz board Luc Besson’s next film.
    • The director’s new movie is a take on Dracula.
    • It marks a reunion for Besson and Jones after ‘DogMan’.

    It is a truth universally acknowledged that a filmmaker in possession of good funding must be in want of a Dracula project.

    All right, so that’s paraphrasing Jane Austen rather than Bram Stoker, but with so many adaptations of the ‘Dracula’ story out there, it somehow seems apt. The likes of Francis Ford Coppola, F. W. Murnau and even Mel Brooks have brought the infamous bloodsucker to screens.

    Add to that list one Luc Besson, who has come up with his own take on the story.

    And according to Deadline, he’s already started gathering the task for the movie, which is titled ‘Dracula – A Love Tale’.

    What’s the story of Luc Besson’s Dracula movie?

    Director Luc Besson.
    Director Luc Besson. Credit/Provider: ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Based on Stoker’s iconic novel, the movie will chart the dark Prince who is condemned to eternal life. It’s apparently an origin story element exploring in more depth the gothic romance between Prince Vladimir and his wife, whose loss turns him to curse God and become a member of the fang club.

    This being Besson, it won’t be a small-scale period drama, instead it’s planned as a hefty-budget, large-scale movie with impressive set-pieces and action.

    Who is in ‘Dracula – A Love Tale’?

    Christoph Waltz in 'Inglourious Basterds.'
    Christoph Waltz in ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company.

    So far, the cast includes Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz, and while that might set you eagerly anticipating what Waltz might do as the legendary vampire, we must shoot those down with the news that Landry is taking the main role of the prince.

    No information is available yet about Waltz’s role, but perhaps he’ll be an associate of the prince. But if we had a magic wand, we’d make him Dracula’s legendary nemesis, the vampire hunter Van Helsing. Of course, that’s assuming Van Helsing is even in the movie.

    Jones is not much of a surprise, since he starred in a recent Besson movie, the revenge thriller ‘DogMan’. This will mark the first time that Waltz has worked with the director.

    Related Article: Director Justin Kurzel and Caleb Landry Jones Talk New Drama ‘Nitram’

    When will ‘Dracula – A Love Tale’ be in theaters?

    While Besson is looking to shoot the movie this year, there is no indication for a release date yet. That’s mostly because the rights for this one are for sale at the European Film Market at the Berlin International Film Festival.

    But following on from its own festival run, ‘DogMan’ will be on limited release in the US on March 29th ahead of a wide launch on April 5th.

    And Besson fans can also anticipate another movie from the director, ‘June and John’, an experimental film he shot during Covid lockdown.

    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Dracula – A Love Tale’:

    Buy Nicolas Cage Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’

    Captain Eliot (Liam Cunningham), Abrams (Chris Walley) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal. P
    (L to R) Captain Eliot (Liam Cunningham), Abrams (Chris Walley) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    In theaters on August 11th, ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ wades into full-on horror territory by taking a chapter of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ and fleshing (also blooding) out the story into a full-length film that features an entertaining creature but is somewhat let down by a cliché-heavy screenplay.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’?

    Corey Hawkins as Clemens in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal.
    Corey Hawkins as Clemens in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    The movie follows the strange and horrifying events that befall the doomed crew as they attempt to survive the ocean voyage of the Demeter from Transylvania to London, stalked each night by a merciless presence onboard the ship: a legendary vampire known as Dracula.

    When the Demeter finally arrives off the shores of England, it is a charred, derelict wreck. There is no trace of the crew. So… Spoiler alert, we suppose?

    Who is starring in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’?

    Clemens (Corey Hawkins) and Anna (Aisling Franciosi) in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal.
    (L to R) Clemens (Corey Hawkins) and Anna (Aisling Franciosi) in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ stars Corey Hawkins as Clemens, a doctor who joins the Demeter, Aisling Franciosi as Anna, an unwitting stowaway, Liam Cunningham as Captain Elliot, David Dastmalchian as Wojchek, the Demeter’s first mate and Javier Botet as Dracula.

    The cast also includes Woody Norman, Jon Jon Briones, Stefan Kapičić, Nikolai Nikolaeff, Martin Furulund, Chris Walley, Nicolo Pasetti and Sally Reeve.

    Does ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ successfully get its teeth into the story?

    Wojchek (David Dastmalchian), Abrams (Chris Walley) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal.
    (L to R) Wojchek (David Dastmalchian), Abrams (Chris Walley) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    In development for more than 20 years, ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ began life with writer Bragi F. Schut Jr., who, inspired by a model of the ship created by someone he knew for Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Dracula’ adaptation, and by the chapter of Stoker’s novel called ‘The Captain’s Log’, began writing what is effectively a version of ‘Alien’ set at sea.

    In the decades since the original draft, it has gone through many writers and directors, and has ended up in the hands of director André Øvredal, while Schut scored a script credit alongside Zak Olkewicz, who wrote the screenplays for ‘Bullet Train’ and one of Netflix’s ‘Fear Street’ films. And if you were at all annoyed by the seemingly spoilerific synopsis, it’s worth pointing out that A) Stoker’s novel has been around a while; B) the villain is Dracula, and even casual horror fans know he ends up reaching England to continue his bloodsucking ways and C), a title card and the movie’s very opening confirms that the Demeter ends up wrecked and abandoned on the coast of the country.

    The challenge, then, is making the journey a worthwhile one, even if you know it has a downbeat ending (the movie attempts to leaven that in ways we won’t explore, because those are actual spoilers).

    Corey Hawkins and director André Øvredal on the set of 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter.'
    (L to R) Corey Hawkins and director André Øvredal on the set of ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter.’ Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    Øvredal is a solid choice for a movie of this nature, and indeed he brings a lot of atmospheric creepiness to the story, his Demeter a dark, creaking, dripping, groaning setting frequently shot in shadow or lit by dim lantern light.

    The director’s other smart choice was relying primarily on physical performance to bring Dracula to life. Hiring flexible, talented creature performer Javier Botet (who has frightened audiences in movies such as ‘Crimson Peak’, ‘The Conjuring 2’ and Øvredal’s own ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’) ensures the creature of the night feels like a creature. And, starting out like a toothier version of Gollum, sunken and weakened by his lack of access to blood, this beast evolves as he is able to snack on the crew, becoming something more monstrous as he goes.

    His targets are a mixed bunch in terms of what they are given to do, but the standouts are Liam Cunningham as the stalwart captain who faces personal tragedy, David Dastmalchian as the grouchy First Mate and Aisling Franciosi, a mysterious stowaway who has her own connection to the fanged fiend.

    Where does the movie sink?

    Director André Øvredal and Liam Cunningham on the set of 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter.'
    (L to R) Director André Øvredal and Liam Cunningham on the set of ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter.’ Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    Given its long journey to the screen, you might have expected ‘Demeter’ to sail more nimbly clear of cliches, but unfortunately, that’s simply not the case.

    Though Øvredal certainly fills it with the right amount of dread and stormy weather, the story itself starts to tick off all the standard, expected beats and elements of a movie such as this. Granted, it’s adapting a slim chapter of a book written more than a hundred years ago, but you might hope for a little more invention given all the tools at the filmmakers’ disposal.

    Instead, we’re greeted with the usual screechy violins on the score, pauses before jump scares and a bunch of stock seamen who, charitably, you should not bother getting to know very well. Aside from a few stabs at character development, Dracula works his way through the lower ranks before getting to the recognizable name actors in a fashion that –– while it is partly explained away by the vampire rationing the crew so as to have enough human blood to feast on for the whole trip –– does rather deflate the tension in places, as you just wait for the next highest-ranking sailor to have a fateful date with fanged destiny.

    Anna (Aisling Franciosi) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal.
    (L to R) Anna (Aisling Franciosi) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    Plus, there are the inescapable hallmarks that sometimes make the movie feel like a parody of a horror film –– when a guy with a scarred face and a milky eye walks off your ship talking of bad omens because he saw a logo on a crate, you know this isn’t going to be a pleasure cruise.

    Add to that the trouble that Corey Hawkins has with his accent. Hawkins is an accomplished actor, who has put in good work in the likes of ‘Straight Outta Compton’, ‘Black KkKlansman’ and ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’, but here he sounds like his voice is on a walking tour of the British Isles, his dialect fluctuating sometimes in the same sentence. It’s distracting and detracts from one of the few truly effective characters in the movie.

    That, and a few frustrating examples of terrible decision-making from the onscreen crew (do you really go looking for where the creature, already established as one who hunts at night is lurking under cover of darkness?) don’t help, but ‘Demeter’ is able to sail past them and works as a decent enough horror movie with some very classic trappings, for good and ill.

    ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

    A scene from 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal.
    A scene from ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
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  • ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ Interview: Corey Hawkins

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    Opening in theaters on August 11th is ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ which is an adaptation of “The Captain’s Log”, a chapter from the 1897 Bram Stoker novel ‘Dracula,’ and was directed by André Øvredal (‘Troll Hunter’).

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    What is the plot of ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’?

    Strange and horrifying events befall the doomed crew as they attempt to survive the ocean voyage from Transylvania to London, stalked each night by a merciless presence onboard the ship: a legendary vampire known as Dracula (Javier Botet). When the Demeter finally arrives off the shores of England, it is a charred, derelict wreck. There is no trace of the crew.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’?

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Corey Hawkins about his work on ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ retelling the Dracula story, how his character reacts to the monster, and working with filmmaker André Øvredal.

    Clemens (Corey Hawkins) and Anna (Aisling Franciosi) in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal.
    (L to R) Clemens (Corey Hawkins) and Anna (Aisling Franciosi) in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Hawkins, David Dastmalchian, Liam Cunningham, and director André Øvredal.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to reading this screenplay and the new approach to the Dracula story the film takes?

    Corey Hawkins: My first reaction was, this is scary as hell, and let’s see where Andre’s brilliant mind can take us. For me, signing onto a film, it’s all about the creatives and obviously the script first and foremost. With this, honestly, it’s like this incredible character-driven drama first and then it leads you more into the unknown. We just put ourselves, our hope and our trust into Andre, and it was just a thrill. It was honestly a thrill to be able to bring this version of Dracula because so many people know the version of Dracula before he goes to London and the version of Dracula after he goes to London. It’s the in-between, it’s the actual monster that you get to finally see in this film. This story lives in it and relishes in that. Which, again, it’s like this throwback to old school filmmaking from Universal and Amblin. That’s what they do and I thought it was cool to just go on that journey.

    Corey Hawkins and director André Øvredal on the set of 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter.'
    (L to R) Corey Hawkins and director André Øvredal on the set of ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter.’ Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Can you talk about working with director André Øvredal, his vision for this project and what surprised you about working with him?

    CH: How incredibly collaborative he is. He’s so easygoing. He’s very much like, if you have an idea you get the opportunity to try it. If I had a thought about the bunk that I’m sleeping in and why it needed to have this in it or that in it, or the antiques, the historical elements of the ship, every little bit, the entire creative team would just walk through with me and talk about it all. And even building Clemens’ arc, and who he is as this Cambridge educated doctor and the research that we had to do about these men who existed during that time, it was just important for us to get it right. So Andre, I just trusted his vision also because I’ve been a fan of his movies including ‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe,’ ‘Troll Hunter’ and everything he’s done. I leaned into his filmmaking and I just think it’s because he trusts us to do our jobs and so we have to trust him to do his job on his end, and I think he’s just incredible. I remember him just saying ‘Alien’ on a ship, and we were like, “We’re in.” Also, we screened ‘Jaws’ for the entire crew when we were in Malta, and it was just cool to see everybody relishing in old school filmmaking.

    Captain Eliot (Liam Cunningham), Abrams (Chris Walley) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter,' directed by André Øvredal. P
    (L to R) Captain Eliot (Liam Cunningham), Abrams (Chris Walley) and Clemens (Corey Hawkins) in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter,’ directed by André Øvredal. Photo Credit: Rainer Bajo/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. © 2023 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about the mutiny that happens on the ship once the creature is discover, and how your character and the other crew members react?

    CH: Clemens is an outsider and it isn’t just because of the color of his skin, although that is a part of it during this time, but he’s an outsider because he hasn’t sailed with these men before. There’s also a stowaway, Aisling who’s incredible in this film, she is on board as well. There’s all sorts of myths about women on ships during this time and all these sort of things that Clemens doesn’t necessarily believe in. He believes in science, he’s a man of science. So watching these interactions it’s all about trust, it’s about fear, it’s about walking through life with this fear and this evil on your back, and then literally confronting that fear and evil with Dracula. It’s chilling because it’s like, what do you do? Who do you trust? People are dying and you might be next. There’s nowhere to run, there’s nowhere to hide and so you have to adapt. You have to match the monster.

    Corey Hawkins stars in 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter.'
    Corey Hawkins stars in ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter.’

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  • Where To Watch The Dark Comedy ‘Renfield’

    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Leave it up to Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage to really sink his teeth into the role of Dracula in Chris McKay’s ‘Renfield.’ In the dark comedy, things get bloody when Dracula’s lifelong assistant and familiar Renfield is tasked with finding food for his master.

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    The official synopsis for ‘Renfield’ is below:

    “In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar® winner Nicolas Cage). Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there’s a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his codependency.”

    The cast of ‘Renfield’ includes Nicolas Cage (‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’), Nicholas Hoult (‘The Menu’), Awkwafina (‘The Little Mermaid’), Ben Schwartz (‘Sonic The Hedgehog 2’), Brandon Scott Jones (‘Isn’t It Romantic’), Adrian Martinez (‘Measure of Revenge’), and Shohreh Aghdashloo (‘Run Sweetheart Run’).

    ‘Renfield’ premiered at the Overlook Film Festival on March 20, 2023. The film opened in theaters domestically on April 17, 2023.

    Nicolas Cage Is The Main Attraction

    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    There was no better choice than Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage. No stranger to creating unique characters on-screening, his portrayal of Dracula is bigger-than-life, overly dramatic, and perfect in every way. Even though the film is told through the lens of Renfield, Cage’s performance of Dracula steals every scene. Cage channeled Bela Lugosi and Elvis Presley as his inspiration for the iconic vampire, and it worked fantastically.

    A Classic Tale With A Twist

    Nicholas Hoult and Joseph Mikel in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    (L to R) Nicholas Hoult and Joseph Mikel in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    The character of Renfield has long existed in Dracula’s history before Chris McKay’s iteration. Early films like 1922’s ‘Nosferatu’ and 1931’s ‘Dracula’ have included the character, as well as TV shows such as ‘Young Dracula.’

    In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Renfield is described as a deranged and fanatic servant and familiar to Dracula. He was an inmate at the lunatic asylum overseen by Dr. John Seward. Renfield suffers from delusions that compel him to consume living creatures in hopes of obtaining their life force. Later on, Dracula would send him insects to consume.

    In McKay’s movie, we see the story from Renfield’s perspective, who is still a servant and familiar to Dracula, but seeking ways to escape the toxic and co-dependent relationship with his narcissistic boss. His relationship with Rebecca (Awkwafina) adds to his motivation to be freed from Dracula’s grasp. Nicholas Hoult’s performance as Renfield carries the heart of the film, paired with exciting action sequences, which he performs effortlessly.

    As an R-rated film, the horror-comedy includes exaggerated gore and violence, such as severed limbs and peeling faces.

    Nicholas Hoult and Awkwafina in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    (L to R) Nicholas Hoult and Awkwafina in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Where Can I Watch ‘Renfield’?

    The film was released theatrically in the United States on April 17th, 2023. While the movie is already available to rent on digital, some theaters are still showing the film, so be sure to check with Moviefone below for showtimes in your area. ‘Renfield’ has a total runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes.

    Buy Tickets: ‘Renfield’ Showtimes

    Watch the official trailers for ‘Renfield’ below:

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    You now have the option to purchase ‘Renfield’ on VOD. Services such as Amazon Prime Video, Direct TV, Google Play, Vudu, Microsoft, YouTube, AppleTV, and Redbox allow you to own the movie digitally for $19.99.

    Additionally, Peacock subscribers can stream ‘Renfield’ as of June 8, 2023.

    Where To Watch: ‘Renfield’ Online

    DVD and Blu-Ray became available on June 6th, 2023, and will include exclusive bonus features such as:

    • Hilarious deleted and extended scenes
    • Alternate takes
    • Dracula Uncaged – Go inside the mind of a vampire as Dracula himself, Nicolas Cage, reveals the secrets behind turning a classic character into a memorable monster.
    • Monsters & Men: Behind the Scenes of ‘Renfield’ – An in-depth look at ‘Renfield’s cast, sets, costumes and more as the actors and filmmakers reveal how they modernized a famous terror tale with trailblazing comedy and over-the-top action.
    • Stage of Rejuvenation – See how special makeup effects bring the undead to life throughout the four stages of Dracula’s incredible transformation.
    • Flesh & Blood – Exploding heads. Peeling faces, Severed limbs. They’re all part of the macabre movie magic that fuels ‘Renfield’ with inventive action and hilarious horror.
    • Fighting Dirty – Stunt coordinator Christopher Brewster leads a look at the training, choreography, and careful execution that goes into the film’s spectacular stunts and fight scenes.
    • The Making of a Deleted Scene: Renfield’s Dance – Nicholas Hoult and choreographer Kathyrn Burns pull back the curtain on constructing an elaborate musical number for a fantasy dance sequence.
    • Feature commentary with producer Samantha Nisenboim, Screenwriter Ryan Ridley, and crew.

    Buy ‘Renfield’ on Amazon

    Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula, and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield in director Chris McKay's 'Renfield.'
    (L to R) Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula, and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield in director Chris McKay’s ‘Renfield.’

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  • Movie Review: ‘Renfield’

    Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula, and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield in director Chris McKay's 'Renfield.'
    (L to R) Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula, and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield in director Chris McKay’s ‘Renfield.’

    Opening in theaters on April 14th is the new comedy-horror film ‘Renfield,’ which is based on a story by Robert Kirkman (‘The Walking Dead’) and was directed by Chris McKay (‘The Lego Batman Movie,’ ‘The Tomorrow War’).

    What is the plot of ‘Renfield?’

    In ‘Renfield,’ Dracula’s (Nicolas Cage) lackey, R. M. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult), finds a new lease on life in modern-day New Orleans when he receives encouragement from a support group to finally stand up to his creator in hopes of breaking free of his servitude.

    Meanwhile, a traffic cop named Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina) discovers that she is surrounded by corrupt cops as she tries to prove that mob boss Ella Lobo (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and her son Teddy (Ben Schwartz) murdered her father. Renfield and Rebecca soon meet and fall in love, but their relationship becomes complicated when Dracula awakes and starts working with the Lobo crime family. Now, Renfield must stand up against his master before he takes over the world, and help Rebecca bring her father’s killers to justice.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Renfield?’

    ‘Renfield’ stars Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage (‘Face/Off,’ ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’) as Dracula, Nicholas Hoult (‘The Menu’) as R. M. Renfield, Awkwafina (‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’) as Rebecca Quincy, Adrian Martinez (‘Focus’) as Chris Marcos, Ben Schwartz (‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’) as Teddy Lobo, and Oscar-nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (‘House of Sand and Fog’) as Ella Lobo.

    Initial Thought

    ‘Renfield’ is an absolutely entertaining movie, which is both very funny and also very scary, as was intended. Director Chris McKay balances the movie’s two distinct tones very well, while Nicholas Hoult’s strong performance anchors the film. But its Nicolas Cage’s spot-on and over-the-top performance as Dracula that really makes the humor and the horror work so well together.

    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Story and Direction

    While the story was created by ‘The Walking Dead’s Robert Kirkman, who knows a thing or two about the horror genre, the screenplay was written by Ryan Ridley, who does a great job creating a new way to tell the Dracula story. Although the character of R. M. Renfield has appeared in several other Dracula movies, this is the first time we’ve seen the classic Vampire character through the lens of his servant, which feels fresh and exciting. Ridley also balances the comedy and the horror well in the script, allowing director Chris McKay to navigate both tones throughout the movie.

    In fact, ‘Renfield’ may be the best example of a true horror/comedy since director Sam Raimi’s classic ‘Evil Dead II.’ I’m not a big fan of horror by itself, but when done right and mixed with another genre, it can really work to create something new, as it does here. But it’s the well-written character-driven moments that really elevate the film, especially those between Renfield and Dracula, which seems more like a long marriage than a boss/employee relationship.

    McKay began his career in animation and directed the brilliant ‘The Lego Batman Movie,’ before moving on to live-action with the Prime Video movie ‘The Tomorrow War.’ With ‘Renfield,’ McKay proves that he can handle live-action as well as animation, and create a thoughtful and entertaining genre movie with a big name star like Nicolas Cage, while still balancing the film’s distinct tones. McKay also includes some excellent action sequences that are really well shot and choreographed, and add to the excitement of the film.

    Nicholas Hoult and Joseph Mikel in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    (L to R) Nicholas Hoult and Joseph Mikel in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Related Article: Justin Kurzel Casts Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult in True Crime Pic ‘The Order’

    What are Renfield’s Powers?

    Renfield has similar powers to Dracula, including super-strength and the ability to move very quickly, but he does not receive them from drinking human blood, instead he gains his strength from eating insects. In the movie, the character carries around a little box of bugs that he can eat when in danger, which allows him to use his powers for a short amount of time.

    Benjamin. Schwartz and Nicholas Hoult in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    (L to R) Benjamin. Schwartz and Nicholas Hoult in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay.
    © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Nicholas Hoult’s Performance

    Nicholas Hoult’s performance as R.M. Renfield is both the anchor and the heart of the movie. We see all the other characters and events through his eyes, and in many ways he is at the emotional core of the film. From the opening frame, Renfield wants to better himself and get out from under Dracula’s clutches, which is why he enrolls in a support group. His relationship with Rebecca is also a motivating force in his desire to change. Through that relationship and Renfield’s actions, we get to see another side of the character, thanks to Hoult’s emotional performance.

    Hoult is an excellent actor but is often cast in secondary roles that do not showcase his talents as well as they could, like his role in ‘The Menu,’ for example. But in ‘Renfield’ Hoult is front and center and practically carries the movie’s emotion and narrative on his back. Hoult is wonderful in the role, funny, strange, emotional, and even scary at times, while also authentically performing the action sequences. The actor has great chemistry opposite Cage, and gives one of the best performances of his career so far.

    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    Nicolas Cage as Dracula in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Nicolas Cage is Dracula!

    Nicholas Cage was uniquely qualified to portray Dracula, and I can’t think of any other actor that could bring the same level of gravitas and outrageous humor to the role. It’s perfect casting! Cage accesses his own strange public persona to play Dracula, while also channeling both the legendary Bela Lugosi (who played the famous vampire many times) and even a little bit of Elvis Presley to create the odd character.

    But creating odd characters is Nicolas Cage’s bread and butter, and the actor does it again here, really “sinking his teeth” into the over-the-top performance and creating something completely different and captivating. You can tell Cage is having fun in every moment and is completely commanding in the role. He also has great onscreen chemistry with both Hoult, and actress Shohreh Aghdashloo.

    Awkwafina as Rebecca in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    Awkwafina as Rebecca in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Why Awkwafina’s Character Doesn’t Work

    I’ve always liked actress and comedian Awkwafina’s work, but she was miscast as Rebecca. The actress is just not believable as the only New Orleans police officer that is not corrupt. Obviously, she is a very funny actress and has worked well in comedic roles in movies like ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and ‘Raya and the Last Dragon.’ But she is also an impressive dramatic actress and was nominated for an Oscar for her work in ‘The Farewell.’

    However, in ‘Renfield’ the actress is asked to do both comedy and drama at the same time, and it just doesn’t work. For example, after having a fight with her sister over finding their father’s killer, an obviously dramatic scene, the actress does a funny walk for comedic effect. It makes the scene unintentionally humorous and it doesn’t fit the tone of the rest of the film. The actress makes her scenes with Hoult and their character’s relationship believable, but seems lost throughout the rest of movie.

    Benjamin Shwartz as Henry in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    Benjamin Shwartz as Henry in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    The Lobo Family

    Ben Schwartz is often cast in comedic roles, and to be honest, his brand of humor usually doesn’t work for me. But in ‘Renfield,’ the actor is perfectly cast as Teddy Lobo, a spoiled mama’s boy who desperately wants to be respected by his mafia family. Schwartz’s particular brand of self-deprecating humor lends itself well to Teddy’s whiney persona and the actor has some very funny moments with both Hoult and particularly Cage.

    And while her role is small, Oscar-nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo is great as Teddy’s mom, mob boss Ella Lobo. The actress accesses the correct amount of gravitas and humor for the part, and has some very funny scenes with Cage and Schwartz. In fact, the idea that Dracula would wake up in 2023 and align himself with the mafia is already comedy gold, and the film explores that idea well.

    Nicolas Cage and Shohreh Aghdashloo in 'Renfield,' directed by Chris McKay.
    (L to R) Nicolas Cage and Shohreh Aghdashloo in ‘Renfield,’ directed by Chris McKay. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Final Thoughts

    In the end, ‘Renfield’ is a surprisingly entertaining movie that is as funny as it is scary. Director Chris McKay crafts an enjoyable romp, while Nicholas Hoult brings R.M. Renfield to life, and Nicolas Cage takes a big bite out of Dracula.

    ‘Renfield’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula in director Chris McKay's 'Renfield.'
    Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula in director Chris McKay’s ‘Renfield.’

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    ‘Renfield’ is produced by Universal Pictures, and Skybound Entertainment. It is set to release in theaters on April 14th, 2023.

  • Writer and Director Neil LaBute Talks ‘House of Darkness’

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    Opening in theaters on September 9th and on demand and digital on September 13th is the new horror movie from acclaimed writer and director Neil LaBute entitled ‘House of Darkness.’

    The movie stars Justin Long (‘Barbarian’) as Hap Jackson, a regular guy who drives home a girl named Mina Murray (Kate Bosworth) after just meeting her at a bar. Mina invites Hap in for another drink, and he eventually meets her sister Lucy (Gia Corvatin). As the night goes on, Hap begins to suspect that his hosts may be vampires.

    Writer/director Neil LaBute has made several acclaimed films including ‘In the Company of Men,’ ‘Nurse Betty,’ ‘The Wicker Man,’ ‘Death at a Funeral,’ and his most recent, ‘Out of the Blue,’ which is still in theaters.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with filmmaker Neil LaBute about his work on ‘House of Darkness,’ having two films releasing at the same time, reimagine Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula,’ the horror genre, and working with Justin Long and Kate Bosworth.

    Justin Long as Hap Jackson and Kate Bosworth as Mina Murray in the thriller, 'House of Darkness.'
    (L-R) Justin Long as Hap Jackson and Kate Bosworth as Mina Murray in the thriller, ‘House of Darkness,’ a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Saban Films.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Neil LaBute about ‘House of Darkness.’

    Moviefone: We recently spoke to you about your noir film ‘Out of the Blue,’ and now you have the horror movie ‘House of Darkness’ coming out. As a director, what is it like having to films that are so different in genre basically releasing at the same time.

    Neil LaBute: Well, certainly they were made with some space in between them, but then suddenly they line up right next to each other. It’s probably more likely you see it with actors, they have that happen not often but sometimes, even in the same week occasionally. So, with writer and directors, it’s a little more irregular, but I’m pretty irregular. So, it’s nice to have a surprise of a couple of movies to hold over my seven fans. It’s nice to have two movies to give them just like that.

    MF: It seems that many of your films examine men and women and the way they communicate with each other. Can you talk about applying that idea to this horror genre?

    NL: It actually seemed like a great springboard to use horror as an end, rather than a means to an end. Instead of taking something like when West Craven said, “I’ll take ‘The Virgin Spring’ and I’m going to make ‘The Last House on the Left’ instead as a remake. I thought I’ve done a lot of relationship stuff. If I start out making something that it could go to be a rom-com, it could be just one of those weird dates. There was a movie that Tom Newman made years ago that won Sundance called ‘What Happened Was,’ which I love. It’s all in his apartment, it’s kind of a date that goes not bad, but just sideways.

    So, I started to make one of those movies about a date that goes sideways and then goes really sideways. Then from there, did a springboard onto the horror idea. So, I wanted to just mash my commentary of how men and women and the way that power gets shifted between people in relationships. Often, we feel like, oh, men have that unwritten power, even a physical power in a relationship, and how quickly that can change within the confines of something like a horror genre.

    MF: Can you talk about the influence you took from Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula?’

    NL: Well, I’ve worked on the ‘Dracula’ text in a couple of ways in the past. I developed it for a theater production and that was something that I found really fun to try and put that epistolary novel on stage. I worked on the ‘Van Helsing’ television show for Syfy and we took that and modernized that idea.

    We even it went so far as to have a female Dracula because it’s such a strong and pliable myth, it’s one that allows you to take pieces from it. For me, it was taking those weird sisters that are talked about and using them in a new kind of modern, fun way.

    Justin Long as Hap Jackson in the thriller, 'House of Darkness.'
    Justin Long as Hap Jackson in the thriller, ‘House of Darkness,’ a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Saban Films.

    MF: Hap Jackson is a character that seems to not be able to read the room. Can you talk about creating the character and working with Justin Long?

    NL: He’s got the worst game in the world basically. I think what was maybe even appealing to Justin when he read it was how much we rely on him as both an actor and as a persona. I think people that are looking through People Magazine go, “I like that guy.” Even if you don’t know his name, it’s like, he’s funny.

    People associate you often with the number of characters that they’ve seen you do, and he’s done horror and he’s done comedy. So, he fit well into this world. I think when you like somebody, just in a relationship, you tend to give them a lot of rope. So, what might have been immediately seen as, “this is really bad or asshole behavior,” that someone’s going to go, “Oh, he’s just trying to be funny. He just really likes this girl.”

    So, it allowed that character to grow from a guy who self-professes to be a nice guy to show his true colors. Even toward the end of the film, he feels like he still controls the room. As a man, I’ll just tell you what to think and what’s going to happen, and I’m going to leave now. It’s fun to watch him just take those steps into a place that he’s actually not so in control of. But Justin being a nice guy allows you, I think and the audience to go further than you would with another actor.

    Kate Bosworth as Mina Murray in the thriller, 'House of Darkness.'
    Kate Bosworth as Mina Murray in the thriller, ‘House of Darkness,’ a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Saban Films.

    MF: Can you talk about casting Kate Bosworth and what she brings to the character of Mina?

    NL: She’s sort of from another world. We were trying to figure out costumes for her and suddenly she gravitated toward this thing that looked like it was out of ‘Dark Shadows,’ the TV show, like this 1960s version of horror. It was like another person couldn’t pull it off. She had this long hair and a choker. But we were also careful to have Justin say, “Hey, I met this girl and she’s weird, but she’s so appealing.” So, that’s what makes her appealing is that she’s so different. He doesn’t realize quite how different she is.

    But Kate really just took those ideas and ran with them. She wanted to be attractive in the most obvious ways. But again, as you say, those red flags should be going off. Yet we’re often so blinded by our attractions that we don’t see the problems that are right in front of us. That’s for everybody in their dating lives, as well as watching a movie or children’s theater, where you’re sitting in the audience screaming that the villain is right behind you. But you don’t notice, you don’t notice the big bad wolf is in the room.

    MF: Finally, we’ve spoken before about how you like to let master shots play out and that you don’t like to do a lot of coverage and cut in between. Can you talk about that in terms of working within this genre and making this film?

    NL: I mean, this was to the nth degree of what I was talking about before. There’s much more dialogue in ‘House of Darkness’ than say ‘Out of The Blue’ and the actors really had to come in. I had worked with Justin in the theater previously. Kate has done some, I don’t know how far back it goes if it was in high school, but Gia and Lucy Walters certainly had a background in theater.

    So, everybody kind of came in knowing we’ve got a short amount of time. We’ve got to learn this like a play and just really be adept, and I’m going to let that camera run. So, we’re going to set the pace of what’s happening, the suspense, the mood, if it’s funny, rather than have a lot of cuts.

    So, I think it’s nice to watch actors act in the same frame. It’s great to cut back and forth as well but it’s really nice to see how that thing between them, especially with Justin and Kate, what turned out to be real chemistry on day one that you could see. I was like, “Oh, these people were just sitting in a car and I can see and hear that they just really play off each other really well.” From then on, it was just a great connection that allowed them to go where those characters needed to go.

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  • First Look at Claes Bang As Dracula in New Series From ‘Sherlock’ Creators

    First Look at Claes Bang As Dracula in New Series From ‘Sherlock’ Creators

    BBC/Hartswood Films/Robert Viglasky

    Not enough bloodthirsty vampires in your life?

    The creators of BBC’s “Sherlock” — Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss — are working on a new Dracula miniseries starring Danish actor Claes Bang as the Count.

    Today, they shared the first photo of the actor in character, with fangs, blood-red eyes, and some gruesome-looking nails. He looks like he just enjoyed a bit of snack and is going back for seconds.

    BBC One

    Bang previously played a bleached-blond bad guy in “The Girl in the Spider’s Web and costarred in Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nominee “The Square.”

    Among the rest of the cast:  John Heffernan, Dolly Wells, Catherine Schell, and Clive Russell.

    “Dracula” will be told in three feature-length parts. Jonny Campbell (“Westworld”) is directing  the first chapter, Damon Thomas (“Killing Eve”) directs the second, and Paul McGuigan (“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”) directs the third.

    The story will unfold in its original Victorian setting, unlike “Sherlock,” which was updated to take place in the preset day.

    “I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Dracula, especially when the script is in the hands of the incredible talents of Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and the team responsible for ‘Sherlock’,” Bang said in an earlier statement. “I’m so excited that I get to dig in to this iconic and super-interesting character. Yes he’s evil, but there’s also so much more to him, he’s charismatic, intelligent, witty and sexy. I realize that there’s a lot to live up to with all the amazing people that have played him over the years, but I feel so privileged, to be taking on this incredible character.”

    “Dracula” will debut on Netflix, but air on BBC One in the U.K. and Ireland.

    [Via EW]